The 3-4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins are stumbling out of the starting gate of the 2024-2025 NHL season. They are on a three-game losing streak, dropping games to tough teams like Carolina, Winnipeg, and Calgary. Though the Penguins played better in the shootout loss to Calgary on Tuesday night, the struggles continue for this team packed with talent and top-tiered players.
The Penguins have not won in a week since last Wednesday's thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres where both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin achieved monumental career milestones.
If the struggles persist, could Coach Mike Sullivan find his job in jeopardy? Sullivan is the winningest coach in Penguins history in his 10th season at the helm. The reality is that his teams missed the playoffs the past two seasons, lost in the early rounds each year since winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.
Is Sullivan already on the hot seat?
Fans argue that he has been on the hot seat since failing to lead his team to the playoffs at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season.
Sullivan is visibly frustrated with his team and has stated the obvious that expectations are higher than the results received thus far.
I will say, Crosby has that “I’m done with this coach” body language that he gets approximately every 5-7 years.
— Penguins Jake (@penguinsjake) October 23, 2024
The deeper question is: does Sullivan have the answers to get this team on a winning track for a successful season? It is early so that remains to be seen.
Keeping up in a competitive Metropolitan Division
Sullivan and the Penguins need to find the answers fast because the Metropolitan Division is competitive, and the Penguins, currently in fourth place, want to stay within striking distance.
The New York Rangers lead the division at 5-0-1, followed by the New Jersey Devils at 5-3-1, and the Washington Capitals at 4-1.
Big weekend ahead, time to get some W's
The Penguins conclude the four-game West Coast/Canadian swing with back-to-back games at Edmonton (2-4-1) and Vancouver (3-1-2) on Friday and Saturday respectively.